Pinzgau is becoming even more colorful. Once again, the idyllic mountain village of Unken invites you to the Rainbow Parade in Salzburger Land on July 20. Austrian tradition and queer culture go hand in hand.

The queer initiative “Heublumen”, which campaigns for the visibility of LGBTQIA+ communities in the countryside, is once again organizing this year’s Pride Parade, which combines lederhosen and rainbow flags. With colorful tractors, fabulous drag queens and atmospheric music, the happiest demonstration of the year is coming back to Pinzgau. The political voices in front of the Unken municipal office continue to underline the importance of this day for queer visibility in the countryside.

Why celebrate a Pride Parade in a mountain village like Unken? The Unken Pride Parade was launched in 2021 in response to an act of vandalism. During Pride month – June worldwide – activist Florian Niederseer hoisted a rainbow flag from the local church tower. In collaboration with the local priest Ernst Mühlbacher, Niederseer, who grew up in Unken himself, set an example for queer visibility in the countryside. But this symbol only lasted a short time. The flag, which was supposed to hang from the church tower for the whole of June, was forcibly removed after a few days, according to the police. To show that there is still a place for queer visibility in Unken, activists Florian Niederseer and Susi Leitinger initiated the first rainbow parade in the Salzburg region in their home village with the support of the Salzburg Pride team. And as of this year, it is no longer the only one in Salzburger Land.

Unken inspires Austria

“My efforts back then were inspired by the achievements of the activists before me. To see that the Rainbow Parade in my hometown inspires countless other people today shows what a difference it can make to set an example,” says Florian Niederseer, head of the Heublumen LGBTQIA+ initiative.

Unken Pride is Austria’s first established rural rainbow parade. Its impact has since inspired rural Pride movements throughout the country and beyond. In Pinzgau, the rainbow flags will therefore also be hoisted across the district in 2024. In Unken and in Mittersill. Mittersill Pride takes place for the first time ever on 03.08. This means that Pinzgau now has two rainbow parades, making it more colorful than ever as of this year

Lederhosen, traditional skirts and rainbows

Queer culture and Austrian tradition come together at Unken Pride. Appearing in lederhosen or a traditional skirt is not only welcome here, but an integral part of the character of the parade. Because traditional costume is for everyone! In addition to brass band music and Schuhplatteln, the rainbow flag is also part of the Austrian tradition. The Pride Parade is now very much a part of Unken. This is particularly evident in all the people from Unken who initially watched the parade from the fence and have since decided to join in and actively stand up for queer visibility in the country. A colorful wind of coming together is blowing in Salzburger Land and together we are waving all our rainbow flags for love and acceptance. Sebastian Brandstätter

Unken Pride 2024, 20.07.2024